Wishful thinking.

When in distress, ask this one question.

One of my sons was describing a challenge that wouldn’t be easily figured out. I listened until he uttered the last syllable of distress. Only then did I speak.

“If you could orchestrate one thing about this to go one way, what would it be?”

His brow unfurrowed as he considered desirable outcomes. Then he stated his answer quickly and emphatically.

I love this question. It doesn’t promise to fix everything. Instead, it clarifies what single thing is most radioactive to your peace. And calls up your highest order thinking about what shift could change things.

It’s like a call and response between your nervous system and brain.

Just knowing there is a better way forward stops the freight train of doom from rocketing full speed into a brick wall.

To Supersize this, get your hands in on the action. While thinking about options, place one hand over your heart and one on your stomach. Breathe deeply for several counts. Slowing down your respiration short circuits your body’s threat alert (after all, we never could take a belly breath if under true evolutionary threat of a lion/tiger/snake.)

There is no vaccination against vexing problems. We are meant to be tested, again and again, by the lifeiness of life. That’s how we learn and evolve. But if we can intercept things before we hit full helplessness, that’s where the turnaround occurs. Try it and see.

Until next time, remember that creativity knows no bounds.